(Jakarta) – The US-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC) recently concluded its largest virtual country business mission, which took place from August 23 to September 14, 2021. 80 executives from 39 companies who participated in the week-long Indonesia Virtual Business Mission met with key Government leaders across 25 ministries and agencies to reinforce the Council’s dedication to supporting Indonesia’s COVID-19 economic recovery. During the Mission, US-ABC reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing Indonesia’s position as a destination for investment as regional supply chains evolve through job creation, digital transformation, and collaboration with industry on the government’s national development goals. During the meetings, the delegation spoke about the importance of further improvements to the investment environment through digitization, talent development, good regulatory practices, regulatory simplification, and intellectual property protection.
“We were excited to hear the Government’s plans and priorities for implementing the Omnibus Law and for the post-COVID-19 era,” said Ambassador Ted Osius, President and CEO of US-ABC. “Our members enjoyed learning more details about Indonesia’s objectives as we navigate these unprecedented times, including plans for human capital development, improving the ease of doing business by streamlining regulations, and infrastructure initiatives. US-ABC and our members look to supporting the Government in achieving its economic policy priorities, especially to promote economic growth and innovation in Indonesia and throughout ASEAN.”
Ambassador Osius co-led the mission with US-ABC Indonesia Committee Chair and Chief Executive Office for Indonesia at Citi, Batara Sianturi and US-ABC Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director, Ambassador Michael W. Michalak.
“Our initiative to conduct this business mission virtually demonstrates our commitment to Indonesia and our shared desire to see it continue to grow and prosper,” said Ambassador Michalak. “This is a critical time for the US and Indonesia to deepen their bilateral economic relationship. The Council and our members look forward to playing a critical role in supporting Indonesia and the region’s economic recovery from the pandemic.”
“US-ABC and its member companies are committed to supporting the acceleration of Indonesia’s recovery and development. With the spirit of gotong royong, the Council and its members will also continue to become partners to the Government of Indonesia to harness innovation and technology to support national job creation and competitiveness” said Batara Sianturi, Chief Executive Officer for Indonesia at Citi and Chairman of the Council’s Indonesia Committee.
The US-ABC delegation had the opportunity to meet with the following Cabinet members and senior members of the Government including Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs, Luhut B. Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Trade, Muhammad Lutfi. Members also has the chance to meet with Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of Communications and Informatics, Johnny G. Plate, and Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, and Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, to name a few.
Source: US-ASEAN Business Council